Does anyone else have trouble with freebie PGP bombing out

[J***@AOL.net]

I've had to reinstall it numerous times. I have used different versions
of the freebies. Right now it seems very erratic in its behaviour as to
whether or not it wishes to decrypt pgp signed/encrypted messages. I
have to keep screwing with it, sometimes even killing it and then
turning it back on in order to get it to work.

Just wondering if I'm the only one with such problems.

I'm using Win XP Pro w/service pack 3. However, I've had this same
problem with any version of Windows and with all of the past comps I've
used with PGP.

Is it this unstable or am I just jinxed?

[Ian Cummings]

In message <***@4ax.com>, ***@AOL.net
writes

Post by J***@AOL.net
I've had to reinstall it numerous times. I have used different versions
of the freebies.

[...]

Post by J***@AOL.net
Is it this unstable or am I just jinxed?

Give us a clue - which version are you referring to ?

[J***@AOL.net]

On Tue, 14 Apr 2009 18:40:26 +0100, Ian Cummings

Post by Ian Cummings
writes

Post by J***@AOL.net
I've had to reinstall it numerous times. I have used different versions
of the freebies.

[...]

Post by J***@AOL.net
Is it this unstable or am I just jinxed?

Give us a clue - which version are you referring to ?

This time I'm using 6.5.8.0. But as I said, this has been happening
over the years no matter which freebie version I used.

[Neil - Salem, MA USA]

Post by J***@AOL.net
On Tue, 14 Apr 2009 18:40:26 +0100, Ian Cummings

Post by Ian Cummings
writes

Post by J***@AOL.net
I've had to reinstall it numerous times. I have used different versions
of the freebies.

[...]

Post by J***@AOL.net
Is it this unstable or am I just jinxed?

Give us a clue - which version are you referring to ?

This time I'm using 6.5.8.0. But as I said, this has been happening
over the years no matter which freebie version I used.

Could you be more precise about what exactly is not working? You've said,
"erratic...behaviour...[sometimes does not wish] to decrypt pgp
signed/encrypted messages... I have to keep screwing with it..."

When it does not work, are you trying to decrypt the encrypted body of an
email? If so, are you using the Current Window method or the Clipboard
method? Which version of PGP was used to encrypt the email to begin with?

Or are you trying to decrypt a file using Windows Explorer? When decryption
fails, exactly what do you see (or not see)?

Can you decrypt everything that you yourself encrypt? Are you having
problems only decrypting files and messages from other people?

Neil - Salem, MA USA

[Neil - Salem, MA USA]

Post by J***@AOL.net
On Tue, 14 Apr 2009 18:40:26 +0100, Ian Cummings

Post by Ian Cummings
writes

Post by J***@AOL.net
I've had to reinstall it numerous times. I have used different versions
of the freebies.

[...]

Post by J***@AOL.net
Is it this unstable or am I just jinxed?

Give us a clue - which version are you referring to ?

This time I'm using 6.5.8.0. But as I said, this has been happening
over the years no matter which freebie version I used.

Could you be more precise about what exactly is not working? You've said,
"erratic...behaviour...[sometimes does not wish] to decrypt pgp
signed/encrypted messages... I have to keep screwing with it..."

When it does not work, are you trying to decrypt the encrypted body of an
email? If so, are you using the Current Window method or the Clipboard
method? Which version of PGP was used to encrypt the email to begin with?

Or are you trying to decrypt a file using Windows Explorer? When decryption
fails, exactly what do you see (or not see)?

Can you decrypt everything that you yourself encrypt? Are you having
problems only decrypting files and messages from other people?

Neil - Salem, MA USA

[J***@AOL.net]

On Tue, 14 Apr 2009 15:58:53 -0400, "Neil - Salem, MA USA"

Post by Neil - Salem, MA USA

Post by J***@AOL.net
This time I'm using 6.5.8.0. But as I said, this has been happening
over the years no matter which freebie version I used.

Could you be more precise about what exactly is not working? You've said,
"erratic...behaviour...[sometimes does not wish] to decrypt pgp
signed/encrypted messages... I have to keep screwing with it..."
When it does not work, are you trying to decrypt the encrypted body of an
email? If so, are you using the Current Window method or the Clipboard
method? Which version of PGP was used to encrypt the email to begin with?

I use the "current window" method. I am not speaking of e-mail, only of
saved text documents, which I encrypt/decrypt as needed.

Post by Neil - Salem, MA USA
Or are you trying to decrypt a file using Windows Explorer? When decryption
fails, exactly what do you see (or not see)?

I use the icon in the system tray.

Post by Neil - Salem, MA USA
Can you decrypt everything that you yourself encrypt? Are you having
problems only decrypting files and messages from other people?

I use it only for encrypting/decrypting text docs that I've created for
my own use. These text files are saved on my hard drives.

Post by Neil - Salem, MA USA
Neil - Salem, MA USA

This has been bugging me for some years. I'm thinking of dumping PGP and
simply using some other encryption program. I do not have anything on
my comp that the NSA or any police agency would care about. I'm only
trying to protect my info from co-workers, comp repair guys, and the
occasional friendly snoop who likes to sit down at my box and "meander"
about my files.

The only reason I started this thread is because I'm just curious if any
others had the same problems I've had over the years with PGP. I was
wondering if the program is that unstable or not.

[J***@AOL.net]

Post by J***@AOL.net
On Tue, 14 Apr 2009 15:58:53 -0400, "Neil - Salem, MA USA"

Post by Neil - Salem, MA USA

Post by J***@AOL.net
This time I'm using 6.5.8.0. But as I said, this has been happening
over the years no matter which freebie version I used.

Could you be more precise about what exactly is not working? You've said,
"erratic...behaviour...[sometimes does not wish] to decrypt pgp
signed/encrypted messages... I have to keep screwing with it..."
When it does not work, are you trying to decrypt the encrypted body of an
email? If so, are you using the Current Window method or the Clipboard
method? Which version of PGP was used to encrypt the email to begin with?

I use the "current window" method. I am not speaking of e-mail, only of
saved text documents, which I encrypt/decrypt as needed.

Post by Neil - Salem, MA USA
Or are you trying to decrypt a file using Windows Explorer? When decryption
fails, exactly what do you see (or not see)?

I use the icon in the system tray.

Post by Neil - Salem, MA USA
Can you decrypt everything that you yourself encrypt? Are you having
problems only decrypting files and messages from other people?

I use it only for encrypting/decrypting text docs that I've created for
my own use. These text files are saved on my hard drives.

Post by Neil - Salem, MA USA
Neil - Salem, MA USA

This has been bugging me for some years. I'm thinking of dumping PGP and
simply using some other encryption program. I do not have anything on
my comp that the NSA or any police agency would care about. I'm only
trying to protect my info from co-workers, comp repair guys, and the
occasional friendly snoop who likes to sit down at my box and "meander"
about my files.
The only reason I started this thread is because I'm just curious if any
others had the same problems I've had over the years with PGP. I was
wondering if the program is that unstable or not.

I forgot to add that I do not have any problem when
signing/encrypting/decrypting any saved data or text file into a PGP
archive. My problem is simply when I try to create a pgp block from text
using the "current window" bit. Such as below:

-----BEGIN PGP MESSAGE-----
Version: 6.5.8ckt http://www.ipgpp.com/

qANQR1DBwE4DgoZ8cSw+mJIQA/oD4uiUiSKllSHymYIu2P2KSPuTDy5r5S6DEGfS
3QA6D0v1lbcvG5OXKS2mJiZ/brWIsnDA7Rv5cz0Bdt90teyNIiToXp06vvSuUFEf
eWHzmNsSFLY/aQVikh1jtxqnm9K+74VuND3LG0FSzTZ5hQN9U4YXvT2uCpl/Povo
khpTNAP8Dw5RHqefajXQ+B2DqxEfE4UgZjQzlpJ9/U7BLArEk1WT1/fXcnDPqQzP
WySDUw+S94GS/4m6pYuabKYrbRCrHdnRHvQpdp9gNZ5dnhmx34ihp0m8IDz4VkrX
Eic//KIhATuUF7iNgJlPw/k4ur7Ua/XZHXIojC5i3HVuDRi38I/SkwHSd0zZd5TW
vWoOPATONsZG80UBRs5VKbSbs92yQykZWA6Is56mjItaUjoBHcVlCtz2/aLG2cDd
XTfLwXSlNUiDOaNa7LRdQymoUK3jFgVl6xAK1k+9wk9gz7akdqn0s+DGFg2KjWRB
70L7Dn/LdboBDY29bByt8AFSPkphgS/+g4AKPrDAf/LsSrVuhQGShO4Urw==
=6zre
-----END PGP MESSAGE-----

[Stickman]

Post by J***@AOL.net

Post by J***@AOL.net
On Tue, 14 Apr 2009 15:58:53 -0400, "Neil - Salem, MA USA"

This time I'm using 6.5.8.0.  But as I said, this has been happening
over the years no matter which freebie version I used.

Could you be more precise about what exactly is not working?  You've said,
"erratic...behaviour...[sometimes does not wish] to decrypt pgp
signed/encrypted messages... I have to keep screwing with it..."
When it does not work, are you trying to decrypt the encrypted body of an
email?  If so, are you using the Current Window method or the Clipboard
method?  Which version of PGP was used to encrypt the email to begin with?

I use the "current window" method. I am not speaking of e-mail, only of
saved text documents, which I encrypt/decrypt as needed.

Or are you trying to decrypt a file using Windows Explorer?  When decryption
fails, exactly what do you see (or not see)?

I use the icon in the system tray.

Can you decrypt everything that you yourself encrypt?  Are you having
problems only decrypting files and messages from other people?

I use it only for encrypting/decrypting  text docs that I've created for
my own use.  These text files are saved on my hard drives.

Neil - Salem, MA USA

This has been bugging me for some years. I'm thinking of dumping PGP and
simply using some other encryption program.  I do not have anything on
my comp that the NSA or any police agency would care about. I'm only
trying to protect my info from co-workers, comp repair guys, and the
occasional friendly snoop who likes to sit down at my box and "meander"
about my files.
The only reason I started this thread is because I'm just curious if any
others had the same problems I've had over the years with PGP.  I was
wondering if the program is that unstable or not.

I forgot to add that I do not have any problem when
signing/encrypting/decrypting any saved data or text file into a PGP
archive. My problem is simply when I try to create a pgp block from text
-----BEGIN PGP MESSAGE-----
Version: 6.5.8ckthttp://www.ipgpp.com/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=6zre
-----END PGP MESSAGE-----

Try a new version and your problems may go away. I have used version 8
a lot and never had any problems
http://www.pgpi.org/products/pgp/versions/freeware/winxp/8.0/

[Ian Cummings]

In message <***@4ax.com>, ***@AOL.net
writes

Post by J***@AOL.net
On Tue, 14 Apr 2009 18:40:26 +0100, Ian Cummings

Post by Ian Cummings
writes

Post by J***@AOL.net
I've had to reinstall it numerous times. I have used different versions
of the freebies.

[...]

Post by J***@AOL.net
Is it this unstable or am I just jinxed?

Give us a clue - which version are you referring to ?

This time I'm using 6.5.8.0.

You appear to be using 6.5.8ckt, which is probably very different to
vanilla PGP6.5.8

Post by J***@AOL.net
But as I said, this has been happening
over the years no matter which freebie version I used.

You only previously said that you'd used different versions, not that
you've had this problem with them all.

I've not personally seen your problem. I've been using PGP8.1 for a long
time now, and 6.5.something (not ckt) before that.

[J***@AOL.net]

On Wed, 15 Apr 2009 18:24:11 +0100, Ian Cummings
<***@glitton.org.uk> wrote:

snip

Post by Ian Cummings

Post by J***@AOL.net
This time I'm using 6.5.8.0.

You appear to be using 6.5.8ckt, which is probably very different to
vanilla PGP6.5.8

Post by J***@AOL.net
But as I said, this has been happening
over the years no matter which freebie version I used.

You only previously said that you'd used different versions, not that
you've had this problem with them all.
I've not personally seen your problem. I've been using PGP8.1 for a long
time now, and 6.5.something (not ckt) before that.

Well, what all this seems to tell me is that I had some program(s) on my
machines over the years that do not get along with PGP too well. I have
migrated many of my original programs numerous times from the old
machines to the new ones.

I have to keep PGP for certain Usenet/email purposes, but for everyday
use I'm going to go with some other encryption program w/key
capabilities. Like I said, the NSA nor the cops aren't whom I'm worried
about, so I don't need top of the line security for my personal files.

Thanks all, but I'm throwing in the towel on this one.

[Neil - Salem, MA USA]

Post by J***@AOL.net
On Wed, 15 Apr 2009 18:24:11 +0100, Ian Cummings
snip

Post by Ian Cummings

Post by J***@AOL.net
This time I'm using 6.5.8.0.

You appear to be using 6.5.8ckt, which is probably very different to
vanilla PGP6.5.8

Post by J***@AOL.net
But as I said, this has been happening
over the years no matter which freebie version I used.

You only previously said that you'd used different versions, not that
you've had this problem with them all.
I've not personally seen your problem. I've been using PGP8.1 for a long
time now, and 6.5.something (not ckt) before that.

Well, what all this seems to tell me is that I had some program(s) on my
machines over the years that do not get along with PGP too well. I have
migrated many of my original programs numerous times from the old
machines to the new ones.
I have to keep PGP for certain Usenet/email purposes, but for everyday
use I'm going to go with some other encryption program w/key
capabilities. Like I said, the NSA nor the cops aren't whom I'm worried
about, so I don't need top of the line security for my personal files.
Thanks all, but I'm throwing in the towel on this one.

This conversation has been too nonspecific for anyone here to have given you
any suggestions on how to solve whatever problems you are experiencing.
However let me suggest the following:

1) Use the current version of PGP freeware, v9.9.1 ...or
2) Use the current version of GPG, v2.0.11 or portable v1.4.9

I do not use GPG so I cannot help you with installing it, but others on this
newgroup can.

Neil - Salem, MA USA

[H***@socialist.usa.com]

Post by J***@AOL.net
On Tue, 14 Apr 2009 18:40:26 +0100, Ian Cummings

Post by Ian Cummings
writes

Post by J***@AOL.net
I've had to reinstall it numerous times. I have used different versions
of the freebies.

[...]

Post by J***@AOL.net
Is it this unstable or am I just jinxed?

Give us a clue - which version are you referring to ?

This time I'm using 6.5.8.0. But as I said, this has been happening
over the years no matter which freebie version I used.

I have had the same problems with the same version. I gave up trying to
figure it out and simply reinstall the bugger each time.

[Neil - Salem, MA USA]

Post by J***@AOL.net
I've had to reinstall it numerous times. I have used different versions
of the freebies. Right now it seems very erratic in its behaviour as to
whether or not it wishes to decrypt pgp signed/encrypted messages. I
have to keep screwing with it, sometimes even killing it and then
turning it back on in order to get it to work.
Just wondering if I'm the only one with such problems.
I'm using Win XP Pro w/service pack 3. However, I've had this same
problem with any version of Windows and with all of the past comps I've
used with PGP.
Is it this unstable or am I just jinxed?

Are you having problems using the Current Window and Clipboard method for
encrypting, signing, decrypting and verifying? As you know, the freeware
version of PGP does not enable the email proxy.

If you're using the freeware version of PGP 9.x, I found this suggestion for
uninstalling and reinstalling PGP on the PGP Forum "PGP Desktop 9.x for
Windows": http://forum.pgp.com/pgp/board/message?board.id=46&message.id=7228

"BEFORE DOING THE FOLLOWING, PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT ANY NEEDED KEYRINGS
AND/OR KEYPAIRS ARE BACKED UP."

1) "I would suggest you uninstall PGP."
2) "Then delete C:\Documents and Settings\USER\Application Data\PGP
Corporation\PGP"
3) "And then install PGP."

I read many postings on the PGP Forums that suggest that deleting the PGP
folder from C:\Documents and Settings was sometimes critical to a successful
reinstall of PGP. I'll confess I've never uninstalled and reinstalled PGP
so I can't verify this suggestion.

Neil - Salem, MA USA

[J***@AOL.net]

On Tue, 14 Apr 2009 13:46:38 -0400, "Neil - Salem, MA USA"

Post by Neil - Salem, MA USA

Post by J***@AOL.net
I've had to reinstall it numerous times. I have used different versions
of the freebies. Right now it seems very erratic in its behaviour as to
whether or not it wishes to decrypt pgp signed/encrypted messages. I
have to keep screwing with it, sometimes even killing it and then
turning it back on in order to get it to work.
Just wondering if I'm the only one with such problems.
I'm using Win XP Pro w/service pack 3. However, I've had this same
problem with any version of Windows and with all of the past comps I've
used with PGP.
Is it this unstable or am I just jinxed?

Are you having problems using the Current Window and Clipboard method for
encrypting, signing, decrypting and verifying? As you know, the freeware
version of PGP does not enable the email proxy.

I'm not using any proxy deal. I simply encrypt various documents and
notes I have on my comp.

Post by Neil - Salem, MA USA
If you're using the freeware version of PGP 9.x, I found this suggestion for
uninstalling and reinstalling PGP on the PGP Forum "PGP Desktop 9.x for
Windows": http://forum.pgp.com/pgp/board/message?board.id=46&message.id=7228

Ain't using 9. I'm using the 6.5.8.0 version.

Post by Neil - Salem, MA USA
"BEFORE DOING THE FOLLOWING, PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT ANY NEEDED KEYRINGS
AND/OR KEYPAIRS ARE BACKED UP."
1) "I would suggest you uninstall PGP."
2) "Then delete C:\Documents and Settings\USER\Application Data\PGP
Corporation\PGP"
3) "And then install PGP."
I read many postings on the PGP Forums that suggest that deleting the PGP
folder from C:\Documents and Settings was sometimes critical to a successful
reinstall of PGP. I'll confess I've never uninstalled and reinstalled PGP
so I can't verify this suggestion.
Neil - Salem, MA USA

I searched each time I uninstalled and deleted everything on disk and in
registry.